How to get rid of fleas: Protecting your home and pets

If you've ever owned a dog, you're probably familiar with fleas. These tiny, biting insects feed on animal and human blood and can make your pet — and you — itchy and uncomfortable. Some types of fleas can transmit disease, so it's important to know how to recognize them, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from entering your home in the first place.

How fleas can get into the home

Fleas typically enter the home by hitching a ride on dogs, outdoor cats, and pests such as mice and rats. They can also enter through open windows. Once indoors, fleas can lay eggs in carpets, bedding, and furniture, causing an infestation.

Fleas 101

More than 300 species of fleas are found in the United States, but only a few types feed on the blood of animals and humans. These include cat fleas, dog fleas, ground squirrel fleas, and Oriental rat fleas.

To the naked eye, fleas look like tiny brown specks; they are smaller than coffee grounds. Flea feces or "flea dirt" is black and contains blood ingested from the host animal.

 There are four phases of the flea lifecycle:

• Egg: A female flea can lay more than 25 eggs in one day. Flea eggs are roughly the size of grains of salt.
• Larva: Larvae are tiny, wormlike creatures that hatch from flea eggs.
• Pupa: Larvae continue their development into adults inside cocoons. During this stage they are called pupae. Pupae remain in their cocoons for days to weeks. When they sense the presence of an animal or human (through body heat or movement), they emerge as adult fleas.
• Adult: Adult fleas will feed on the blood of an animal or human host, then mate. The females will begin laying eggs on or around the host, starting the cycle over again.

Identifying and treating flea bites

Flea bites look like tiny, red, raised dots. Flea bites in humans are usually found on the ankles and lower legs. On pets, they tend to appear mostly around an animal's neck, tail, ears, abdomen, and lower back.

Anti-itch creams, antihistamines, and oatmeal baths can soothe the itchiness in humans. Pets will need more extensive treatment. The bites usually disappear within a few days.

Common diseases transmitted by fleas

Fleas can carry diseases that spread to pets and, less often, to humans. Pathogens that cause the following diseases can be transmitted by fleas:

• Murine typhus: This is a disease that may develop in humans when the bacteria that cause it are transmitted to people by cat fleas and Oriental rat fleas. Symptoms include headache, rash, and muscle pains.
• Cat scratch disease: Cats that are infested with certain types of fleas can transmit bacteria that cause cat scratch disease to humans via (as the name implies) a cat scratch, or by a bite. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue.
• Tapeworms: Cats and dogs (and less commonly, humans) can become infected with tapeworms if they ingest fleas carrying tapeworm larvae. Most people infected with tapeworms will not experience symptoms. Tapeworms may cause diarrhea and weight loss in pets.
• Plague: Plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. The bacteria may be transmitted by ground squirrel fleas to squirrels, chipmunks, and rats, and then by these rodents to humans. The disease's initial symptoms are a high fever and chills. If not treated promptly, the infection can become life-threatening. Plague is extremely rare in the U.S.

How to get rid of fleas in your home

Flea infestations in the home can be difficult to manage, and may require repeating the following steps until all fleas are eliminated:

• Sweep and vacuum daily, especially around cracks and crevices on floors and baseboards.
• Steam-clean carpets.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture daily.
• Wash human and pet bedding thoroughly in hot water and dry on high heat.

If these measures aren't effective, consider hiring a pest control company.

Flea prevention in and around the home

The following measures can help you prevent fleas from getting into your home and causing an infestation:

• Mow your lawn regularly.
• Hire a pest control company to treat your yard.
• Seal any cracks in walls and around doors and windows.
• Vacuum frequently.
• Wash pet bedding regularly.
• Follow your veterinarian's advice regarding flea prevention measures for your pet.

Preventing and treating fleas on pets

Veterinarians have year-round protocols for preventing fleas, especially in dogs. These include oral medications, flea collars, and skin treatments. Talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate flea control product for your pet.

If your cat or dog does become infested with fleas:

• Bathe your pet with a mild soap or shampoo, or, if recommended, a medicated shampoo. Soap will kill adult fleas.
• Use a flea comb to remove fleas, their feces, and dried blood. Focus on the neck and the area around the tail.
• Thoroughly clean (or throw out and replace) your pet's bedding.
• Take your pet to the vet. He or she will recommend the appropriate medications for flea treatment.